AAEA is an environmental organization founded in 1985 that is dedicated to protecting the environment, enhancing human, animal and plant ecologies, promoting the efficient use of natural resources, increasing African American participation in the environmental movement and promoting ownership of energy infrastructure and resources. We resolve environmental problems through the application of practical environmental solutions.

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Remembering Damu Smith

We Miss You Damu

Damu Smith died five years ago today (May 5, 2006). Many of the younger crop of new African American environmentalists never met Damu. Yet Smith lives on in the minds of those who knew him. Damu brought his own unique presence to the environmental and environmental justice movements. Damu aggressively addressed environmental racism as leader of the National Black Environmental Justice Network.

He took the name Damu, which means "blood, leadership and strength" in the Swahili language of Kenya.

Damu Smith was an activist. Damu was a radio talk show host. He was a father. Smith's daughter, Asha Moore Smith is 18 now.

Washington Post reporter Darryl Fears covered Damu's last days. Africa Roots Library provides and excellent compilation of Damu's life. Damu's Middle East and anti war activism is described in Washington Report. Democracy Nowcovered one of Smith's anti war speeches on behalf of Black Voices for Peace, one of the organizations he founded. Democracy Now also covered Damu's fight with colon cancer.